Refuse compactor control system

ABSTRACT

A domestic refuse compactor in which there is a powered ram reciprocated within a housing vertically in a receptacle therein for the refuse, and the ram reversal for withdrawal is controlled by either advance to a predetermined distance above the receptacle bottom or development of a given compaction force in reaction to the advance. The receptacle is laterally movable to and from the housing by a positioning carriage, with non-rigid latching of the latter in the inner position to receive the ram for slight outward yielding during compaction. A deodorizing spray is provided by a front mounted spray can, a manually operated solenoid actuator, and a spray directing fixture which causes the spray to be discharged inwardly and to the rear for injection into the receptacle while in its inner storage and compacting position.

United States Patent [191 Stratman et a1.

[ REFUSE COMPACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Jerome F. Stratman, Cypress; John Novak, Anaheim, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: The Tappan Company, Mansfield,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 195,991

[52] US. Cl 100/73, 100/52, 100/2 29'A, 239/274, 222/70 [51] Int. Cl B30b 15/30 [58] Field of Search 21/77; 222/333, 504, 181, 222/70, 402-413; 100/229 A, 45, 73, 256; 239/274 Bottas et al 100/45 July 2, 1974 Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonnelly, Maky, Renner & Otto ABSTRACT A domestic refuse compactor in which there is a powered ram reciprocated within a housing vertically in a receptacle therein for the refuse, and the ram reversal for withdrawal is controlled by either advance to a predetermined distance above the receptacle bottom or development of a given compaction force in reaction to the advance. The receptacle is laterally movable to and from the housing-by a positioning carriage, with non-rigid latching of the latter in the inner position to receive the ram for slight outward yielding during compaction. A deodorizing spray is provided by a front mounted spray can, a manually operated solenoid actuator, and a spray directing fixture which causes the spray to be discharged inwardly and to the rear for injection into the receptacle while in its inner storage and compacting position.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures REFUSE COMPACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM This invention relates to an improved control system for a domestic refuse compactor in which a ram is vertically reciprocably driven to compact the refuse in a suitable receptacle and the latter is relatively movable laterally for the insertion and removal of the refuse.

Such operation requires of course that the ram be fully extractable from the receptacle and, since the ram will preferably produce about 3,000 pounds pressure in maximum compaction, the receptacle must be adequately supported in the condition for the compaction. The automatic reversal of the drive of the ram in the cycle is one major area of concern, and the new control system provides two responses for the action, namely,

the advance of the ram to a predetermined spacing above the bottom of the receptacle and the development of a given resistance or reaction force in the drive mechanism. This means that a number of compaction cycles and succeeding additions of refuse can be carried out before the unit is required to apply maximum compaction. For example, the compacting of the refuse may not be noticeable until the receptacle is more than half full, with more and more compaction then developed in each succeeding use, and the use of the mechanism thus more efficient and proportional to the actual need.

It is also of major concern that such a domestic compactor be easy to use and reliable, with the operator most likely a housewife, and the basic configuration calls for some form of slide structure permitting the receptacle to be pulled from and pushed into an enclosing cabinet or housing within which the compaction is effected and the refuse stored until the receptacle is to be emptied. Another primary object of the present invention is to provide an extremely smooth working slide mechanism for carrying the receptacle in this movement, with special detent means for non-rigid latching of the assembly in the inserted condition.

Storage of the refuse in the compactor, usually within a home kitchen or utility room, has indicated the desirability of either suggesting or providing for the application of a deodorizing or sanitizing agent, and it has been proposed that the refuse in the receptacle be sprayed with such material automatically, for example, in response to movement of the receptacle between its exposed and inserted conditions. The treating agent is naturally consumed and must be replenished so that its container must be readily accessible for replacement. Moreover, automatic discharge with opening and clo'sing or even otherwise in the control cycle does accelerate the consumption of the agent, and the present invention provides instead a control for discharge of the same which is selectively operated by the user as needed or desired.

It is a related object to provide a spray discharge for a deodorizer or sanitizer which can thus be operated with the receptacle fully inserted and yet supplied from a container at a front location where it can readily be reached by the operator for replacement.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative,

however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts removed of the refuse compactor of the invention with the receptacle shown in the refuse receiving position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the refuse compactor partly in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the refuse compactor showing the switch arrangement in the lower'rear portion thereof;

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic drawing of the control system for the refuse compactor;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the deodorizer dispenser portion of the refuse compactor; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the deodorizer dispenser taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3 there is shown a refuse compactor 10 comprising a housing 11 and relatively movable receptacle assembly 12. The housing 11 is formed of side frame members 13 covered by exterior side panels 14, rear panel 15, bottom plate 16, and top plate 18 supporting a wood cutting board 19. The receptacle assembly 12 includes a carriage 20 and refuse container 21, the former supported on slides 22 for movement into and out of the housing 11 between a refusereceiving position as indicated in FIG. 1 and a refuse compacting position when fully within the housing. A front panel 24 is mounted on the carriage 20 for movement therewith and serves to close the housing 11 when the carriage is in the trash compacting position, being then in substantial alignment with top front control panel 25.

The carriage 20 consists of an'inverted box frame having an aperture in its top wall 26 thereof adapted for receipt of the refuse container 21, the latter being of generally cylindrical configuration and supported by means of a peripheral ring 28 thereon, on spring supports 29 secured to the carriage 20. A plastic bag 30 is indicated as covering the interior of the container 21 and may be secured by means of a suitable elastic band and the like, not shown, about the cuff of the bag. Reference may be had to our copending application Ser. No. 195,226 filed Nov. 3, 1971, for a more detailed showing of such receptacle assembly.

Further included within the housing 11 and supported by the side members 13 is a shelf 31 for supporting and guiding the ram assembly indicated generally at 32, an interior rear panel 34, and an interior front panel 35 thereabove a short distance inside of the front of the housing. The ram assembly 32 includes the ram pressure plate 36 supported on rods 38 passing through the shelf 31 and secured to a ram drive plate 39 which is adapted to move vertically between the shelf 31 and top panel 18 of the housing. A drive screw 40 journalled in the shelf 31 and the top panel 18 cooperates with a nut 41 retained in the drive plate 39 for moving the latter and thus the pressure plate 36 upwardly and downwardly, the drive force being supplied by an electric motor 42 via a belt and pulley 44, the latter secured to the drive screw 40 for rotation thereof.

Thus as indicated in full line in FIG. 2, with the refuse container 21 in the refuse compacting position the ram drive plate 39 is located just beneath the upper panel 18 of the housing 11 and the pressure plate 36 is located just beneath the shelf 31 allowing sufficient clearance for the refuse container 21 and carriage to be moved with respect to the housing 11. In the dashed line position, the ram pressure plate 36 is at the lowermost position with the ram drive plate 39 slightly above the shelf 31, any refuse in the container 21 thereby being compacted to this position. It is significant that the lowest position of the pressure plate 36 is substantially above the bottom 45 of the refuse container 21, this distance being between one-fourth and one-half the overall depth of the container 21. In a container on the order of 2 feet in depth, such dimension would be approximately 6 inches above the bottom of the container.

Such dimension is predetermined by the location of a limit switch 46 suitably mounted on shelf 31 and having a leaf in the path of travel of the ram drive plate 39 and being adjustable in elevation by means of any suitable support. A further pair of limit switches 47, 48 cooperate with the drive plate 39 for control over the electric motor 42, these including a directional switch 47 and a top limit switch 48 having leafs in contact with the drive plate 39 when the latter is at the top limit of travel.

Further included in the control system and best seen in FIG. 3 are a pair of limit switches 49, 50 for sensing the location of the carriage 20 and thusof-the refuse container 21 in a proper position for refuse compacting purposes, such switches 49, 50 cooperating with the ends of the slide parts secured to the carriage 20.

The slides 22 are of known type in which cooperating channels are telescopically interengaged on freely rolling balls for very smooth extension and return, and it is preferred that they be mounted at a slight downward inclination, on the order of 7%" for example, to further facilitate inward movement of the receptacle assembly. Both the height of front panel 24, substantiallyto normal kitchen counter height, and use of a relatively high and conveniently accessible handle 51 on the same are also significant in providing the desired ease of loading and unloading the appliance.

Non-rigid latching of the assembly is realized by applying double-angled ramps 52 to the tops of the slides 22 for coaction with plastic rollers 53 mounted rotatably on spring arms 54 projecting rearwardly over the glides from transverse wall 34, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The front or leading parts of the ramps are at a greater angle than the trailing parts, so that there is less resistance in the final movement of the closing action. This detent mechanism, at both sides, permits the receptacle assembly to roll outwardly to a slight extent, without loss of latching during compaction, which is desirable in view of the fact that some loading of refuse can result in a temporary outward force being developed without any relief for the reactive parts when rigid latching is employed. Such limited movement will, of course, be

within the requirement that the unit be closed as a condition to compaction.

When a sufficient amount of refuse is encountered in the container 21 and the ram pressure plate 36 is unable to attain its lowermost position and cause actuation of the bottom limit switch 46, means are provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the drive motor 42 so as to return the ram to its uppermost position. Reference is made to the schematic diagram of the control system shown in FIG. 4 wherein like reference numerals are utilized to indicate like parts.

Input power is supplied at terminals 58, 59 being conventional household power of 120 volts 60 B2. A circuit is established through the normally closed top limit switch 48, the normally closed drawer safety switches 49, 50, the stop switch 60 of a start/stop rocker switch 61 and key actuated switch 62, (the latter two switches located on the control panel 25 of the housing), to the main running winding 64 of the motor 42 and by way of a normally closed overload switch 65 to the second power line terminal 59. The motor 42 is preferably an induction motor of the split phase type having the running winding 64, a start winding 66 of the conventional type and an internally connected centrifugal switch 68 which is of the conventional normally closed type, achieving an open condition upon the approach of the motor to a normal running speed.

In parallel connection with the centrifugal switch 68 is the normally open bottom limit switch 46 which is actuated to the closed condition when contacted by the drive plate 39 at the bottom of the ram stroke. The centrifugal switch 68 is connected by way of line 69 to one pole 47a of the double pole-double throw direction switch 47, the start winding 66 being connected by way of a capacitor 70 to the second pole 47d of the direction switch 47, contacts 470, 472 of the latter being connected to one side of the power line by way of line 71, the remaining contacts 47b, 49f being connected by wayof line 72 indirectly to the other side of the power 'line. The direction switch 47 is located for actuation at the top of the ram stroke and is indicated in FIG. 4, and the top limit switch 48 and the bottom limit switch 46, are in the there illustrated condition when the drive plate 39 is at that uppermost position. Further shown in FIG. 4 in series connection across the power line terminals 58, 59 is a deodorizer solenoid 74 and a deodorizing spray push button switch 75 also on the front control panel 25.

Thus in the mode of operation depicted with the drive plate 39 at its uppermost position and with input' spect to the phase occurring in the running winding 64 by way of the now closed centrifugal switch 68 to develop a rotating magnetic field in the motor 42 in the conventional manner thereby causing downward movement of the drive plate 39 and pressure plate 36. Upon achieving substantial running speed the centrifugal switch 68 will be opened to remove energization from the start winding 66, continued running of the motor 42 being maintained by the energization through the running winding 64. As the drive plate 39 moves downwardly the top limit switch 48 will become deactuated and revert to a closed condition establishing the circuit through the drawer safety switches 49, 50 and the normally closed stop switch 60, whereupon the start switch 78 may be released for continued fully automatic operation. At substantially the same time the direction reversing switch 47 will be deactuated moving the poles 47a, 49d to the alternate positions indicated in FIG. 4, energization being prevented through the start winding 66 by way of the now open centrifugal switch 68 and open bottom limit switch 46.

The direction reversing switch 47 is now conditioned to supply power to the start winding 66 of the motor 42 in an opposite sense from the sense first applied and upon the drive plate 39 engaging the bottom limit switch 46 for closure of same or upon the pressure plate 36 encountering sufficient resistance to movement due to compaction of refuse in the container 21 and a subsequent slowing of the motor 42 causing closure of the centrifugal switch 68, a magnetic field rotating in the reverse direction will be established causing a reversal of rotation of the drive motor 42. The ram drive plate 39 thus will be returned to the uppermost position engaging again the top limit switch 48 to remove power from the running winding 64, the start winding 66 having been previously deenergized by opening of the centrifugal switch 68 and opening of the bottom limit switch 46.

It will be clear then that the reversing switch 47 conditions the energization of the motor 42 for the desired direction of operation, reversal being initiated by closure of either the centrifugal switch 68 or the bottom limit switch 46, the centrifugal switch in turn being actuable by the removal of power through opening of the key switch 62 or stop switch 60 if manual control is necessary.

The deodorizer apparatus, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises the solenoid 74 mounted on the shelf 31 just behind the interior front panel 35 of the housing 11, receiving power via lines 80. The support and actuating mechanism for the deodorizer is located just forward of the interior front panel 35, communication being achieved via an aperture 81 therein. A deodorant canister 82 in the form of a conventional aerosol container is supported in an inverted position in a bracket 84 affixed to the panel 35, with its valve stem 85 protruding therefrom, this valve stem being actuable by a sideways movement to dispense aerosol spray by means of an internal valve arrangement which returns to the central closed position in the absence of any extraneous influence.

The valve stem 85 is inserted in an adapter 86 which comprises a nylon fitting having a flange 88 near the upper portion thereof and a pair of axially extending pins 89 therebelow. A length of curved flexible plastic tubing 90 is received in the bottom portion of the adapter 86 and leads through an aperture 91 in shelf 31 to a spray directing assembly located therebelow. The adapter 86 further includes a radially extending flange 92 which is secured to a fork link 94 by means of a cotter pin 95, the link 94 in turn secured to the plunger 96 of the solenoid by means of a second cotter pin 97.

A support member comprising a U-shaped plastic member 98 having a lower flange 99 secured on the shelf 31 by means of screws 100 and an upper flange 101 with slot 102 therein receives and retains the adapter 86 for limited movement toward and away from the solenoid 74. A similar support member is secured beneath the shelf 31 by means of the same screws emanating in a depending arm 104 angled in a direction to be in alignment with the center of the container 21 when the latter is in the refuse compacting position within the housing 11. A clamp 105 is secured to the support arm 104 by means of screw 106 and retains the plastic tubing 90 therebetween for such orientation toward the center of the container.

Upon actuation of the solenoid 74 the plunger 96 will be drawn toward the right as viewed in FIG. 5 moving the adapter 86 and thus the stem of the deodorant container 82 by means of the fork link 94 to dispense spray through the plastic tubing 90. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 74 the adapter 86 will be returned to the position indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6 under the influence of the internal bias mechanism of the aerosol container 82.

The spray switch 75 should preferably be actuated by the user when the receptacle is at the refuse compacting position for best utilization of the treating material, and the special mounting fixture of course makes this possible with a front location for the source. The user in this way can determine entirely the frequency of spraying the refuse with the treating agent, but it would be possible to make the feature automatic if desired by adding a slide actuated switch, such as switch 107 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4, in addition to or substitution of the selective energization of the activating solenoid. It will also be appreciated that the disclosed selective spray or equivalent discharge of the deodorizing and/or sanitizing agent might be accomplished mechanically as well as electrically by the solenoid operation described.

The control system also includes protection against failure of bottom limit switch 46 in the form of a stop pin 108 which passes diametrically through and has its ends projecting beyond the thread of drive screw 40 near the lower end of the same. It will be readily understood that if the drive reaches and advances very slightly beyond the point at which bottom limit switch 46 would normally be actuated and is not for any reason, the nut 41 will encounter the ends of pin 108 and, being stopped thereby, cause a reactive reversal of the drive regardless of the load in the refuse container.

Another type of safety may be incorporated to insure that the unit cannot fully execute a compaction stroke in the absence of the refuse container 21. This additional precaution against improper use is realized by provision of an additional switch 109 in the normal drive circuit, in series with switches 50-52 as shown in FIG. 4, having an actuating spring biased plunger 110 which projects from interior rear wall 34 for engagement with, and switch closing pushing by, the container 21 as the latter is moved to the closed condition for compaction. The compacting drive cannot therefore normally begin unless there is a container in place to receive the ram, and it is significant that plunger 110 is located to be engaged by the top portion of the container, so that any inadvertent closing agency operating the same without the receptacle in place would be dislodged early in the downward stroke to terminate operation. Switch 109 could also be located in the control circuit beyond switch 61 for comparable influence.

It should also be noted, for completeness, that the resilient support of the container for the refuse in the movable carriage by the springs as described permits the container to be forced in the compacting position sufficiently downwardly to be supported in this power operation on the bottom of the appliance, the bottom of the carriage being open for the purpose and the slides therefore not being required to withstand any of the compaction pressure. Nevertheless, when the pressure is removed and the ram withdrawn, the springs lift the container enough for the bottom clearance needed for the carriage to be withdrawn. This basic type of support is shown not only in our aforesaid copending application, but in our still earlier application Ser. No. 112,138 filed Feb. 3, 1971.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A refuse compactor, comprising a receptacle, means mounting said receptacle for movement to a first position for receiving refuse and a second position for compaction of such refuse, a ram, means for reciprocably driving said ram vertically into and out of said receptacle when the latter is in said second position, first and second switch means actuable at upper and lower limits respectively of said ram to control reciprocation thereof, means for injecting deodorant into said receptacle, and deodorant actuating means selectively operable when the receptacle is in or adjacent said second position for operating said means for injecting to effect such injection of the deodorant.

2. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deodorant actuating means comprises an adapter for releasably engaging the valve stem of a deodorant spray container, a support for said adapter, said support allowing limited movement of said adapter, and solenoid means coupled to said adapter for moving the same within said support member, whereby upon movement of said adapter by said solenoid means a quantity of deodorant is injected into said receptacle.

3. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for injecting the deodorant includes a flexible discharge tube positioned for connection in flow communication with the valve stem of a deodorant spray container, and a guide arm for supporting said tube adjacent the path of movement of said receptacle and in a direction toward the center of said receptacle when the latter is in the refuse compacting position.

4. In a refuse compactor having a receptacle positionable in refuse receiving and refuse compacting positions outside and within a housing, respectively, and

a reciprocable ram for compacting the refuse, means for spraying deodorant and the like into said receptacle, comprising a spray container for the deodorant, means mounting said spray container at the front of said housing in a position adjacent the path of travel of said receptacle, means in communication with said spray container for directing spray therefrom into said receptacle when the latter is substantially in the refuse compacting position, and means for actuating said spray container to deliver spray therefrom into said receptacle.

5. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spray directing means comprises an adapter engageable with said spray container, a length of tubing received in said adapter for fluid communication with the outlet of said spray container, and a support member for holding said length of tubing in a position directed toward the center of said receptacle and below said ram, said support member being angled with respect to the path of travel of said receptacle.

6. In a refuse compactor housing a receptacle movable between refuse receiving and refuse compacting positions, deodorant spray means comprising an aerosol container having deodorant therein, said aerosol container being positioned at the upper front of said compactor in access for replacement purposes, means for directing spray from said aerosol container into said receptacle, and means for actuating said aerosol container to release spray therefrom, said actuating means comprising a solenoid, means coupling said solenoid with said aerosol container for actuation of the latter, and means for selectively energizing said solenoid.

7. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 6, wherein said energizing means comprises a manually actuable switch mounted at the front of said compactor, said switch being accessible when said receptacle is in the refuse compacting position. 

1. A refuse compactor, comprising a receptacle, means mounting said receptacle for movement to a first position for receiving refuse and a second position for compaction of such refuse, a ram, means for reciprocably driving said ram vertically into and out of said receptacle when the latter is in said second position, first and second switch means actuable at upper and lower limits respectively of said ram to control reciprocation thereof, means for injecting deodorant into said receptacle, and deodorant actuating means selectively operable when the receptacle is in or adjacent said second position for operating said means for injecting to effect such injection of the deodorant.
 2. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deodorant actuating means comprises an adapter for releasably engaging the valve stem of a deodorant spray container, a support for said adapter, said support allowing limited movement of said adapter, and solenoid means coupled to said adapter for moving the same within said support member, whereby upon movement of said adapter by said solenoid means a quantity of deodorant is injected into said receptacle.
 3. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for injecting the deodorant includes a flexible discharge tube positioned for connection in flow communication with the valve stem of a deodorant spray conTainer, and a guide arm for supporting said tube adjacent the path of movement of said receptacle and in a direction toward the center of said receptacle when the latter is in the refuse compacting position.
 4. In a refuse compactor having a receptacle positionable in refuse receiving and refuse compacting positions outside and within a housing, respectively, and a reciprocable ram for compacting the refuse, means for spraying deodorant and the like into said receptacle, comprising a spray container for the deodorant, means mounting said spray container at the front of said housing in a position adjacent the path of travel of said receptacle, means in communication with said spray container for directing spray therefrom into said receptacle when the latter is substantially in the refuse compacting position, and means for actuating said spray container to deliver spray therefrom into said receptacle.
 5. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spray directing means comprises an adapter engageable with said spray container, a length of tubing received in said adapter for fluid communication with the outlet of said spray container, and a support member for holding said length of tubing in a position directed toward the center of said receptacle and below said ram, said support member being angled with respect to the path of travel of said receptacle.
 6. In a refuse compactor housing a receptacle movable between refuse receiving and refuse compacting positions, deodorant spray means comprising an aerosol container having deodorant therein, said aerosol container being positioned at the upper front of said compactor in access for replacement purposes, means for directing spray from said aerosol container into said receptacle, and means for actuating said aerosol container to release spray therefrom, said actuating means comprising a solenoid, means coupling said solenoid with said aerosol container for actuation of the latter, and means for selectively energizing said solenoid.
 7. A refuse compactor as set forth in claim 6, wherein said energizing means comprises a manually actuable switch mounted at the front of said compactor, said switch being accessible when said receptacle is in the refuse compacting position. 